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Vancouver, B.C., host to the 2010 Winter Olympics, is a surprise to many first-time visitors. It is a bustling, international city set magically below towering, snow-capped peaks that fall spectacularly to the protected harbors below. North of the city, the temperate Sunshine Coast (accessible only by sea, air) is rich in heritage while a haven for present day recreationalist of all types. The scenery is stunning whatever the route you choose, and continues to inspire once there. One of the best kept secrets is Desolation Sound - Its clear waters are warmed by a Japanese current meandering through the Georgia Strait where boaters of all types are drawn, including kayakers and divers. There are a few islands in the area with white sand beaches and many swimmable inlets compelling those who come here to think of this area as the Caribbean of the west.
Vancouver Island runs nearly the length of Southern British Columbia’s mainland serving as a massive protective barrier from the mighty Pacific Ocean. The peaceful Gulf Islands and U.S. San Juan Islands lie in between within The Georgia Strait. Further up the strait, through the Inside Passage to Alaska, the Discovery Islands dot intricate waterways in some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.
Landscapes in this region vary widely from the forested Canadian Rockies where Mt. Robson marks the highest peak in the chain to the Osoyoos desert along the south border. Stunning waterfalls spill into the high mountain lakes and rivers eventually feed the farmlands in the lower part of the region where vineyards are making a name for northwest wines and fruits and vegitable stands are plentiful. Aboriginal First Nations people celebrate their culture here, and the Trans Canadian Pacific Railroad offers several tours designed around historic and scenic attractions.
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The majestic Kootenay’s border western Alberta and the stunningly beautiful Baniff & Jasper National Parks to the north. The region offers an array of year-round outdoor recreation amongst a vast, spectacular wilderness of rivers, lakes, waterfalls, beaches, mineral hot springs, alpine meadows and snow-capped mountains.
The communities of Northern B.C. are rich in history and continue to honor their Aboriginal culture by offering visitors First Nation cultural sites and tours. While the heritage of these islands is cherished, there are many additionally reflecting its early railroad days and Victorian-era influence. Emerging on the scene for those seeking adventure into an era long gone, are The Queen Charlotte Islands - home to the Haida people for thousands of years. This land, at the edge of the world presents a unique ecosystem within its archipelago of about 150 islands and some of the most fascinating Aboriginal sites in the northwest.
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